The structure is that of a nine-point star representing the unity of mankind and all cultures of humanity.

A broad range of organizations, both secular and religious, have always Panama due to its unique geographical position. One of them is the Baha’i Faith, the Iranian-founded religion which chose the Isthmus as the site of its "Latin American Mother Temple" –one of seven in the entire world.

That was back in 1969, when a design by British architect Peter Tillotson was chosen from among 43 projects sent from around the planet. The chosen site was a hill located in the area of Las Cumbres, in San Miguelito, approximately 10 kilometers northeast of downtown Panama City.

The temple was dedicated in 1972.

Standing 730 feet above sea level, the curious egg-shaped dome of the temple could be seen from virtually every corner of the city when it was dedicated on April 29, 1972, but it can still be clearly distinguished in the midst of Panama’s sprawling suburbs from atop buildings and high elevations due to a simple, but effective system of external lights, which makes observers believe that the structure glows from within.

The temple’s construction took two and-a-half years and an investment of one million dollars, donated by members of the Baha’i international community. It has a capacity for 550 people. Its dome measures 200 feet in diameter and is 92 feet high. The structure is that of a nine-point star representing the unity of mankind and all cultures of humanity.

The temple is open to the public in office hours. Its entrance is located on the Boyd-Roosevelt (Trans-Isthmian) Highway, close to the Milla Ocho shopping center.

A corner of meditation.

The temple has capacity for 550 people.

The Baha'i Faith is a religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th century Persia. In the early twenty-first century, Bahá'ís number around six million in more than two hundred countries around the world.

In Bahá'í teachings, religious history is seen as an evolving educational process for mankind, through God's messengers, which are termed Manifestations of God. Bahá'u'lláh is seen as the most recent, pivotal, but not final of these individuals. He claimed to be the long-expected educator and teacher of all peoples, prophesied in Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions, and that his mission was to establish a firm basis for unity throughout the world, and inaugurate an age of peace and justice, which Bahá'ís expect will inevitably arise.

Fundamental to Bahá'í teachings are the principles of the oneness of God, the oneness of religion, and the oneness of humanity. These principles have a profound impact on the theological and social teachings of this religion.

El Níspero

The Golden Frog, a resident of El Níspero Zoo and Nursery.

Now is the season to view the flower of the Holy Spirit. Head to the mountain community of El Valle de Antón, where Peristeria Elata (a.k.a the Flower of the Holy Spirit), the rare flower adopted by Panama as its national flower, is blooming in full splendor at El Níspero plant nursery and zoo.

This exotic orchid, which gets its name from a group of petals that form what looks like the image of a white dove in its center, is usually found deep in the forests and highlands of Panama and blooms between July and September. The plant grows all the way from Mexico to South America, yet, interestingly, many Panamanians have only seen it in pictures.

Peristeria elata –best known as "The Flower of the Holy Spirit" –Panama's national flower.

El Nispero, which is one of the most popular attractions in El Valle de Antón, is a rather unusual location. Although many think of it as a municipal park, it is actually a private property, created by the Caballero family over 30 years ago. Its original purpose was to offer visitors specimens of the rich flora of the area (The site of a pre-historic volcano, El Valle’s soil is very rich in nutrients). However, friends of the family soon started to present them with exotic gifts: animals from far-away places. The hacienda soon became the home of colorful phaisans from China, peacocks, owls, storks and herons, serpents, crocodiles, and felines. The park is also home to the famous golden frog, which is endemic to El Valle and surrounding mountains.

With its spectacular natural and landscaped scenes, El Níspero is excellent for picnics and family outings. It opens from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. admittance is $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.

Located in the province of Coclé, El Valle is a two-hours drive from Panama City. To get there, visitors need to get on the Pan-American Highway and travel west to the beach community of San Carlos. The entrance to the mountain road leading to El Valle is 4 km past San Carlos.